CHICAGO DESIGN WEEK

by Staff

The most unique design event of its kind will take place from Monday June 6 to Friday June 10 when the Chicago chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) hosts its 2nd Annual Chicago Design Week. Staged as a celebration of the city's inspired design community, AIGA Chicago will present a diverse series of events and programs tailor-made to the wide cross-section of the creative landscape expected to attend.

Throughout Chicago Design Week, creative professionals, local businesses, colleges, non-profit organizations and students alike will gather in select locations throughout the city to partake in the week's activities. The event will offer studio tours, exhibitions, workshops, and lectures dedicated to all things design – and will feature some of the best and brightest the Chicagoland creative community has to offer.

AIGA Chicago has also added a strong international element to Chicago Design Week, inviting design studios from around the world to participate virtually in the chapter's popular "Small Talk" series. To date firms from The Netherlands, France, Spain and Australia will be featured with more to come as the event draws near.

Additional Chicago Design Week highlights include:

Freshmoves, A Story of Vision and Collaboration: Representatives from EPIC (Engaging Philanthropy, Inspiring Creatives) and Architecture for Humanity discuss the collaborative design effort to bring good food to the underprivileged. (more)

Society of Typographic Arts (STA) Presents Chicago's Design History: Pioneers, Protégés and Pragmatists: Event will feature several Chicago legends walking the audience through the designers that laid the foundation of the current design landscape. (more)

The Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) Chicago Chapter's Iron Sketch Competition: IDSA Chicago is partnering with TEAM Design and AIGA Chicago for a live sketch competition featuring head-to-head challenges to determine the next Iron Sketch Champion.
(more)

Chicago Studio Walks: Leading firms from Wicker Park
, the West Loop
and River North
will open the doors for attendees, offering an intimate snapshot of design life in these diverse studios.

Annual Member's Meeting: All attendees / members will gather for the premier event of Chicago Design Week at the legendary Park West Theater to network, relax, and listen to the keynote discussing "boundaries" from Liz Danzico. (more)

"Design Beyond the Grid," AIGA T-Shirt Design Competition: Both AIGA members and non-members will upload their most creative t-shirt designs to the event Website to be judged by a group of their peers. The ultimate winner of this event will have his / her t-shirt produced.

Claire Williams-Martinez, president of AIGA Chicago said

For two years Chicago Design Week has brought together local organizations for a week-long celebration of design in our city and our efforts have drawn the attention of a global audience, ... The series of events we've scheduled provides the opportunity for designers to share their experiences, inspire, and learn from one another. AIGA Chicago recognizes the importance of collaboration to our community, and throughout Chicago Design Week we hope to build relationships between designers in our city and around the world.

Chicago Design Week 2011 events are sponsored by 24seven, Artisan, Rider Dickerson, and Adobe. Event registration and information can be found at http://aigachicago.org/

AIGA Chicago is a dynamic community of 1600+ members, including designers, communication professionals, design educators and students. The Chapter was founded in 1986, and has been a leader in advocating the importance of design ever since. AIGA's purpose is to advance designing as a professional craft, strategic tool, and vital cultural force. AIGA, the professional association for design, is committed to stimulating thinking about design through the exchange of ideas and information, the encouragement of critical analysis and research and the advancement of education and ethical practice. For more information, visit www.aigachicago.org.

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